How to Help Your Daughter Cope With Her Period at School
I still remember the day when my first period began. I was 12 and walking home from school on a cold January afternoon. Although I was given books and “conversations” about the changes that happened to my body, when I saw this stain on my underwear, I honestly thought that I might be dying. Although I quickly realized what was going on, I still remember my panic as a teenager well.
I also remember the giant maxi pads my mom sent me to school with the next day. The humiliation was deep, and then it was real.
Fortunately, menstrual products have come a long way, and now that I have a teenage daughter, I have learned a few tips and tricks to help make your daughter’s period easier for both of you.
Discuss the Big Day in advance
Sure, you’ll talk to your daughter about the mechanism of her period and what to expect, but I’m talking more specifically about her fears about her first period in school. Teenage girls can feel embarrassed about having their periods suddenly at school, and it can be overwhelming.
Talk to your daughter about teachers or staff she trusts, and discuss how she gently asks if she can go to the nurse’s office or bathroom if needed. We practiced saying, “Mrs. So and so, I have a personal problem, and I need to go to the nurse right now. “
Remind your daughter that her teachers are used to dealing with unexpected situations during her period.
As any high school teacher and nurse will tell you, they’ve seen all forms of “emergencies” during the period. But for a teenage girl, it can feel like the end of the world if they get their jeans dirty or if their cramps are nightmarish.
Carefully remind your daughter that the school staff are not going to make fun of her or betray her trust. And let’s face it, we all sympathized with the girl who forgot to bring her notebooks to school, so tell her friends will help her too.
Leave your cramps medications at school until your period begins
If you think your daughter is about to have her period, now is the time to discuss how the school nurse dispenses medications. Some schools allow parents to be ordered by a doctor to leave medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen on hand in the doctor’s office in case your daughter’s convulsions interfere with her learning. This small step will go a long way on a day when your daughter can really feel unhappy.
Download your period tracking app
Gone are the days when we had to count the squares on a real calendar to see if Aunt Flow was going to stop us from wearing white shorts. These days, you and your daughter can install apps on your phones to help you track her cycle.
Not only are they helpful for planning your gym swim, but they can also be a useful tool in treating irregular periods or other menstrual problems. The apps are fun and positive too, so you’ll find you can use them for yourself too. (We love Period Diary if you’re looking for it.)
Buy a cute case or container for transporting pads and tampons to school.
My daughter’s biggest fear was that people might see her take a notebook out of the locker at school. We bought her a cute beaded shoulder bag in several colors to match many of her outfits. She could wear them as part of her outfit at school, and her pillow was carefully tucked in just in case. And on the days when she didn’t want to use a purse, we found the teens’ products from the period to be sleek and flat, with some brands making pads that fit easily into the back or side pockets of jeans or sweatshirts.
Although the first few times my daughter had to go to school during her period was a little stressful, we found our way together. And in truth, I am more than a little jealous that she will never know what it means to wear a pillow the size of a pillow.